The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level C1ClassicsThe Making of ArgumentsDiscover the art of crafting clear, compelling arguments that engage and persuade, equipping you to tackle complex questions and influence others effectively in everyday life and b…
Level C1ClassicsThe Making Of A Novelist: An Experiment In AutobiographyFrom desperate beginnings with nothing but the clothes on his back, a young man navigates the unpredictable tides of fortune and friendship in London, chronicling the making of a n…
Level C1Children'sThe Maker of Rainbows, and Other Fairy-tales and FablesA struggling poet in Harlem trades his last prized possession for a rose to win his sweetheart’s heart, only to discover that forgotten dreams can hold unexpected treasures in a wo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Maker of OpportunitiesIn a world where wealth and social status dictate fate, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe MajorIn a quiet village awakening to spring, a spirited boy channels courage and music, dreaming of heroism and freedom.
Level C1HistoricalThe Maids of ParadiseAmid the chaos of war and secret codes, an inspector races through the French frontier to track down a fugitive linked to a mysterious socialist community.
Level C1ClassicsThe Maids TragedyTensions rise as noble Melantius returns to Rhodes, finding his friend Amintor unexpectedly wed to Evadne, sparking jealousy and grief in Aspatia, whose sorrow haunts the court.
Level C1HistoricalThe Maidens' Lodge; or, None of Self and All of Thee: (In the Reign of Queen Anne)In 1712 at Cressingham Abbey, a domineering matriarch clashes with her rebellious daughter over forbidden love and family loyalty, stirring secrets and tensions that threaten to up…
Level C1HistoricalThe Maid-At-Arms: A NovelAmid the brutal realities of a war-torn land, a chance meeting at a crossroads sparks a tense journey into a world where fierce loyalty and harsh truths shape the fate of families…
Level C1RomanceThe Maid of SkerA weathered fisherman recounts a strange and stirring tale from the Welsh coast, blending personal loss with mysterious events that have unfolded over decades.
Level C1HistoricalThe Maid of Orleans: A TragedyAmid the ravages of war, a young shepherdess named Johanna shuns earthly love, drawn instead to mysterious visions and a destiny that could alter the fate of France.
Level C1RomanceThe Maid of Maiden LaneIn the vibrant spring of 1791 New York, amidst political upheaval and revolutionary ideals, the lives of its elite intertwine with exiled French nobles and fervent patriots, settin…
Level C1HistoricalThe Maid of Honour: A Tale of the Dark Days of France. Vol. 3 (of 3)In turbulent France, a proud marquis grapples with jealousy, shattered authority, and a wife’s defiant ultimatum that threatens to unravel their fragile household and social standi…
Level C1HistoricalThe Maid of Honour: A Tale of the Dark Days of France. Vol. 2 (of 3)In a turbulent France on the brink of revolution, Gabrielle wrestles with isolation and shifting loyalties amid political intrigue and personal trials, while her household endures…
Level C1HistoricalThe Maid of Honour: A Tale of the Dark Days of France. Vol. 1 (of 3)Amid the glittering courts of Marie Antoinette’s Paris, the privileged obliviously revel as revolution brews beneath their feet.
Level C1PoetryThe Mahogany TreeGather around the mahogany table for a spirited Bacchanalian song that celebrates friendship, mirth, and the bittersweet passage of time during a festive Christmas gathering.
Level C1FantasyThe Mahatma and the Hare: A Dream StoryA haunted writer, broken by loss and despair, encounters a mysterious figure known as Jorsen who draws him into a surreal journey blending spiritual quests and enigmatic dreams—whe…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3: Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagkqu6icedc739b5ubg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3: Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12Amidst the devastating Kurukshetra war, great warriors grieve lost comrades and prepare for fierce battles under new commanders, while a grieving king faces the painful consequence…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2: Books 4, 5, 6 and 7 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6qt6guvnas73829m50.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2: Books 4, 5, 6 and 7Exiled and incognito, the Pandavas seek refuge in the kingdom of Virata, adopting new identities to evade their enemies.![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 2 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6k3qapmtvc73csnqv0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 2Amidst a vast, enchanted forest, the mighty Pandava Bhima battles fierce beasts and encounters the powerful monkey-chief Hanuman blocking the path to heaven, setting the stage for…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi Parva by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da690hipmtvc73cshing.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi ParvaDive into an epic saga of gods, heroes, and cosmic struggles, presented with faithful reverence to its ancient Sanskrit origins.
Level C1ClassicsThe Magnificent Lovers (Les Amants magnifiques)Two rival princes compete to win the heart of a princess during a lavish festival in the idyllic vale of Tempe, where gods and mortals mingle in a dazzling spectacle of love, music…
Level C1Children'sThe Magnificent AmbersonsIn a Midwestern town flourishing with old-world elegance and shifting fashions, the Amberson family’s grandeur shapes the lives and rivalries of its members as the city around them…
Level C1RomanceThe Magnificent Adventure: Being the Story of the World's Greatest Exploration and the Romance of a Very Gallant GentlemanIn a rugged Virginian frontier, a skilled young hunter returns home to his steadfast mother, where duty, adventure, and an untold romance intertwine amidst the untamed wilderness a…
Level C1AdventureThe Magnetic NorthA small group braves treacherous Yukon waters, battling early winter storms and deadly ice on a desperate journey toward the Klondyke gold rush.
Level C1ClassicsThe Magistrate: A Farce in Three ActsA respectable magistrate’s orderly life unravels hilariously when a family secret threatens to surface, sparking a farcical chain of misunderstandings and comedic chaos in Victoria…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Magical ChanceA reflective journey through youth and opportunity challenges the notion that all adventure is gone, exploring whether life still offers a "magical chance" to escape convention and…
Level C1HistoricalThe Magic of SpainExplore the vibrant contrasts of Spain’s rugged landscapes, lively traditions, and distinct provincial characters through vivid notes drawn from literature and travel.
Level C1FantasyThe Magic SkinA young man steps into a grim gambling den, drawn by a desperate hope to change his fate.
Level C1ClassicsThe Madonna of the FutureIn moonlit Florence, a chance encounter with a passionate aesthete sparks a haunting reflection on art’s fleeting glory and the elusive masterpiece—the dream and despair of artists…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mad Pranks of Tom Tram, Son-in-law to Mother Winter: To Which Are Added His Merry Jests, Odd Conceits, and Pleasant Tales.Meet Tom Tram, a mischievous son-in-law whose wild pranks and clever antics turn everyday situations into uproarious chaos, from whipping uncooperative beer pots to outwitting guar…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (3 of 10)In a kingdom weary of war, the fierce General Memnon returns victorious, his blunt valor clashing with courtly life and the tender intrigues surrounding the king’s sister.
Level C1FantasyThe Mad KingA young king, long believed lost and declared mad, escapes his grim prison, sparking a desperate manhunt in a kingdom ruled by a corrupt regent.
Level C1ClassicsThe Macdermots of BallycloranIn the remote Irish countryside, the decaying Ballycloran estate stands as a haunting symbol of faded glory and ruin, inviting a tale of hardship, lost grandeur, and the struggles…
Level C1RomanceThe MS. in a Red BoxIn 1627, amid blooming spring and local strife, a young man rides with joyous news of a hard-won victory against a Dutchman's plans to seize and transform their land.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lyrical Dramas of Aeschylus Translated into English VerseStep into the world of ancient Greek tragedy where rich, powerful language and haunting lyrical dramas unfold with timeless mystery and terror.
Level C1PoetryThe Lyric: An EssayExplore the essence of poetry as the quest for "the best words in the best order," revealing how poets capture profound experience through language and verse.
Level C1AdventureThe Lusiad; Or, The Discovery of India, an Epic PoemEmbark on a heroic voyage tracing Portugal’s daring quest to discover India, filled with love, courage, and the fierce spirit of adventure that shapes empires and hearts alike.
Level C1AdventureThe Lure of the NorthTorn between the rugged wilderness of Northern Ontario and the allure of civilized comfort, Jim Thirlwell faces a choice that tests his resolve and loyalty to a harsh, Spartan code…
Level C1AdventureThe Lure of the Dim TrailsA writer struggling with rejection sets out to rediscover the true spirit of the West, revisiting his range-born roots and the rugged landscapes that shaped his past.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lunatic at LargeIn foggy London, a struggling young doctor receives a curious offer to care for a wealthy but mentally unstable gentleman abroad.
Level C1FantasyThe Lunarian Professor and His Remarkable Revelations Concerning the Earth, the Moon and Mars: Together with An Account of the Cruise of the Sally AnnA chance encounter with the enigmatic Lunarian Professor sparks a journey through astonishing revelations about Earth, the Moon, and Mars, blending prophecy, adventure, and otherwo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lumley AutographIn foggy London, a destitute poet clings to his final manuscript, torn between hunger and hope as he writes a desperate appeal to his patron.
Level C1MysteryThe Luck of the Vails: A NovelIn a frost-bound Wiltshire village, an ancient estate harbors shadows that flicker with unsettling life, where two friends seek warmth and respite—yet the lingering mysteries of th…
Level C1AdventureThe Luck of the Mounted: A Tale of the Royal Northwest Mounted PoliceIn a snowbound Royal Northwest Mounted Police barracks, tensions simmer as men face the harsh northern winter and the shadows of violence.
Level C1AdventureThe Luck of the KidIn the scorching sub-Arctic summer, a young native and his father pursue a secret gold treasure rumored to be hidden along Loon Creek, but the elusive prize has already fallen into…
Level C1ClassicsThe Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Tales: With Condensed Novels, Spanish and American Legends, and Earlier PapersVivid tales and sketches capture life in the American West, blending humor, romance, and local legends amid the rugged frontier.
Level C1AdventureThe Luck of Gerard RidgeleyTwo young men arrive at the rugged shores of Natal, South Africa, each with different dreams and temperaments, ready to carve out their fortunes amid the challenges of a new land a…
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.